Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint

by Nadia Bolz-Weber

Now a New York Times bestseller, Nadia Bolz-Weber takes no prisoners as she reclaims the term "pastrix"(pronounced "pas-triks," a term used by some Christians who refuse to recognize female pastors) in her messy, beautiful, prayer-and-profanity laden narrative about an unconventional life of faith.
Heavily tattooed and loud-mouthed, Nadia, a former stand-up comic, sure as hell didn't consider herself to be religious leader material - until the day she ended up leading a friend's funeral in a smoky downtown comedy club. Surrounded by fellow alcoholics, depressives, and cynics, she realized: These were her people. Maybe she was meant to be their pastor.
Using life stories - from living in a hopeful-but-haggard commune of slackers and her unusual but undeniable spiritual calling to her experiences pastoring people from all walks of life - and poignant honesty, Nadia portrays a woman who is both deeply faithful and deeply flawed, giving hope to the rest of us along the way.
Wildly entertaining and deeply resonant, this is the book for people who hunger for a bit of hope that doesn't come from vapid consumerism; for women who talk too loud and guys who love chick flicks; and for the gay person who loves Jesus and won't be shunned by the church. In short, this book is for every misfit suspicious of institutionalized religion but who is still seeking transcendence and mystery.

• ISBN10: 1455527084
• ISBN13: 9781455527083
• Publish Date: 10 September 2013
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Time Warner Trade Publishing
• Imprint: FaithWords
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 224
• Language: English

Reviews

[lovelybookshelf]

Originally posted on my blog, A Lovely Bookshelf on the Wall:

I've followed Nadia Bolz-Weber's blog (Sarcastic Lutheran) and listened to her sermons online for a few years now. Sarcastic Lutheran fans will feel right at home with this new memoir, but if you aren't already familiar with Nadia Bolz-Weber...

A heads up: A lot of the ideas in Pastrix are not going to mesh well with socially conservative evangelical Christians (and definitely not with fundamentalists) unless they approach the book with an open mind and desire to really hear another perspective. Also, the language in the book is not for the faint of heart! There is a good bit of swearing. Bolz-Weber doesn't put on a sanitized, "holy" persona just because this is a spiritual memoir and she is a pastor. She is who she is, and she isn't afraid to tell it like she sees it.

My mind was ignited while reading Pastrix. I highlighted so much, it could supplement my copy of Luther's Small Catechism. But my heart was touched, too. There were beautiful moments that brought me to tears (especially when she discussed having to write a sermon after the Aurora movie theater shooting).

I love that Bolz-Weber voices tough questions and works through them even when there may be no answer, and that she can admit it when she simply doesn't know. She understands what it is about Christianity that so many people find hurtful. She understands the things that cause people to feel wary or mistrustful of the church, or piss them off completely. Bolz-Weber's insights are frank, often outrageously honest, and most certainly unique. What I found most refreshing was her boldness and transparency.

Each chapter opens with a verse or two from Scripture. By the end of the chapter, the relevance and truth of those verses in Bolz-Weber's life have unfolded in surprising ways. Pastrix is about finding faith, beauty, and good in the most unlikely circumstances.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation for this review.